Bite-sized supercomputer goes on show
A mini supercomputer that powers virtual dinosaur races shows how the world’s most powerful computers work.
The compact machine - called Wee ARCHIE - takes its name from
the £43m ARCHER supercomputer at the University’s Advanced Computing
Facility.
Wee ARCHIE replicates in miniature high performance computing techniques to simulate races between on-screen dinosaurs.
Parallel computing
Wee ARCHIE and its larger namesake use parallel computing
systems, which enable many calculations to be completed instantaneously
on different microprocessors.
It was designed and built by the University’s science outreach
group, FUSION, in collaboration with the Edinburgh Parallel Computing
Centre.
The machine has already proven popular with school pupils at
outreach events designed to shed light on the complexities of
supercomputing.
Compact system
The portable system displays the types of hardware found inside the world’s most powerful supercomputers.
It contains 18 credit card-sized processors housed in a custom-made Perspex case.
LED displays on each of the processors light up when they are
in use, showing how multiple parts of a parallel computing system work
together to perform complex tasks.
Dinosaur racing
The program lets users modify the structure of dinosaurs’ muscles and joints, altering their ability to run.
Wee ARCHIE tests each of the configurations quickly, and presents the results as an on-screen race.
High performance computing
Supercomputers are used for tasks that require huge amounts of
processing power, such as weather forecasting and molecular modelling of
biological compounds.
They often occupy several thousand square feet.
ARCHER provides high performance computing support for research and industry projects in the UK.
We will use Wee ARCHIE to engage schoolchildren
with supercomputing, and show them the huge benefits that the technology
can bring to scientific research. We also hope to inspire some of them
to take up programming for themselves.
Dr Lorna Smith
Edinburgh Parallel Computing Centre